Star-gates

Description

Star-gates are ring-shaped machines that directly connect two locations in space.  All star-gates are constructed in pairs that connect to one another.  They are huge and very expensive to create.  The two halves are built together, and then, after the gate has been activated, the two pieces are separated, one going to either location that is to be connected.  Once activated, there is no way known to shut down a star-gate.  The construction of star-gates requires large amounts of exotic, and hard to obtain substances.  The absolute minimum size a star-gate can be is about 500 Meters in diameter.  If one half of a star-gate is destroyed, both halves will explode with a colossal amount of energy. 

History

In the Empire of 1,000,000 Suns, the star-gate was invented well before the 1,000 Years War.  The legendary engineer, Kroah Dashan, oversaw the creation of a dense network of star-gates that protected imperial shipping routes from piracy, but also helped keep the Empire provincial.

Within the E1MS, and in a few other places, there are some ancient, dormant star-gates, known as the Zanathian Gates.  They are rumored to have been built by a civilization even older than the E1MS.

In human space, Star-gates were invented midway through Era-1, but the Planetary League only ever built a handful connecting a few major systems and regional capitols.  The Holy Empire of Man built a few more during Era-2.  Era-3 saw a dramatic rise in the use of star-gates, after the Galactic Republic discovered a more economical means of production.

The Nalaxian Code

The Nalaxian Code is the only algorithm known that is strong enough to defeat the Creed of Troniac.  It was developed in the Empire of 1,000,000 Suns during the 1,000 Years War, as part of the development process of General Zarlok.   The code was created by the Grand Nalaxian, a sentient complex of spawning pools on Artanis 4 that served as that planet's governor.

Revenants

The Holy Empire of Man, in its quest to conquer the galaxy used every means available.  One of the more disturbing of these was the creation of Revenants.  When the forces of the Empire would find one of the Emperor's enemies on the battlefield, either brain-dead, or severely brain-damaged, but otherwise alive, Imperial surgeons would often remove the casualty's head, and replace it with a neuro-cybernetic controller, and some basic sensors.  Then, they would release the Revenant, either guided by artificial intelligence, or under remote-control, as a psychological warfare agent.

See:  Tail of the Toad God

Cargo Robots

Description

Cargo robots, commonly known as mules, are specialized in carrying around heavy loads.  They can often be seen making deliveries, accompanying explorers, and following armies into battle as logistics units.  Those who enjoy camping and other outdoor activities make frequent use of these robots to carry supplies. Mules are also a common accessory for those who don’t drive their own car as away to carry extra luggage. For any occasion where you’d like to have a robot to carry around your stuff, there’s a cargo bot ready for the job.

A common feature or modification is to equip a mule with an arm so it can even load and unload its self.

One common cargo robot is the PK-5 from Ares Systems, also known as the "Pack Mule".

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Another is the Mark-0, manufactured by Pegasus Cybernetics:

Magnetically Amplified Plasma (MAP)

Invented late in Era-0 in human dominated space (and independently invented in the E1MS long ago), Magnetically Amplified Plasma (MAP) technology is the basis for much of the galaxy's weaponry.  

The main feature of the technology is to take the same plasma that forms the exhaust of most space drives, and use magnetic fields to intensify and constrain it.  MAP is commonly used in weapons because the high temperature of the plasma can burn most targets, and its electrical charge has a chance of disabling electrical systems.  MAP technology generally takes two forms:

MAP Beams focus plasma into a coherent beam which is fired out of a gun or cannon.  This forms a brightly glowing beam with a great deal of energy.  The high speed with which the plasma is fired gives it substantial impact momentum as well, even though the amount of material being fired is small.

Plasma Blades are the other main application of MAP technology.  A plasma blade is constructed of two main components.  The generator holds the power source, and generates the plasma, and the antenna (which contains a nano-engineered electromagnet) acts as a guide and holds the hot plasma in place.

Power-utility robots

Robots are purpose-built for a wide variety of applications.  One such application is to serve as a mobile power source.  These robots are commonly found at construction sites and outdoor events where grid power may not be available.  They are also found on the battlefield as a part of logistics and supply operations.

The 810-P from Ares Systems is a commonly seen model, built around a bank of large hypercapacitors.

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Virobots

Based on an original concept by TR Merchen

Description

Virobots (short for Virus Robots) are small robots that attach themselves to intelligent life-forms in order to have those life-forms build more of their kind. This is usually accomplished via neural probes that connect to the host's brain or spine.  The Virobot then communicates the idea to build robots, and the plans to build its offspring directly into the host's nervous system.  The effects vary by strain.  The most common Virobots give their host a quirky hobby that can last for several weeks.  The more dangerous strains can be fatal, causing the host to obsess over the construction process while neglecting to eat or sleep.  Most strains of Virobots stick to a single species of hosts, although cross-species infection is not unheard-of.

Sometimes, during an epidemic, star-ships are found drifting through space filled with Virobots, the entire crew dead from converting the life-support systems into Virobots.  At one point, an exploration mission from the Planetary League even found a planet with the crumbling remains of an advanced civilization thickly infested with Virobots.

History

Nobody knows for sure who built the first Virobot or why, but most speculation points to the Cult of Troniac.  The first known outbreaks of Virobot activity in the Empire of 1,000,000 Suns date to the middle of the 1,000 Years War.  

The first cases in human-dominated space were in the corporate state of Gazillion, but they rapidly spread to the Planetary League and beyond.  

Midway through Era-1, scientists at the University of Aldebaran 2 discovered several methods of altering Virobots to  perform more precise forms of mind-control.  It became common for mental health patients to have Virobots attached as part of treatment.  They also saw wide use in the criminal justice systems of the more advanced cultures.  

During Era-2, The Holy Empire of Man used Virobots to enhance the fanaticism of its followers, and to enforce it in dissidents.  

During Era-3, the Galactic Republic specifically engineered strains of Virobots to enhance the mental capabilities of its citizens.  These custom-designed Virobots became fashionable, and functional appendages to many life-forms.

Plushite

Overview

Initially developed by engineers working for Comfort Systems, Inc. midway through Era-1, Plushite is a smart metamaterial used mainly in luxury furniture and clothing.  

Plushite conforms itself to the body of anyone who reclines on, or wears it.  More expensive grades also include bonus features such as temperature regulation, and even massage mode.  Even when inactive, Plushite is velvety-soft to the touch.

Plushite is difficult to fabricate, and accordingly expensive.  It is a luxury good primarily consumed by the wealthy, and its use is a status symbol.

In order to function as intended, a piece of Plushite needs to be connected to a base unit including a power supply and control circuitry.  Malicious parties with access to the control unit  have been able to subvert its programming to inconvenience, discomfort, and even assassinate users of Plushite.